Los Angeles Unemployment Rate Rises A Little, But Still Well Below Last Year's

LOS ANGELES, CA -- The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Los Angeles County was 5 percent in September, up from a revised 4.9 percent in August, the state Employment Development Department reported Friday.

The 5 percent rate was well below the 6.2 percent rate from September 2015.

In Orange County, where seasonally adjusted numbers were not available, the unemployment rate was 4.1 percent, down from 4.4 percent in August.

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for California was 5.5 percent in September, the same rate as August but below the 6 percent rate in September 2015. The comparable estimates for the nation were 5 percent in September, 4.9 percent in August and 5.1 percent a year ago.

According to the EDD, total nonfarm employment increased in Los Angeles County by 19,400 jobs between July and August to reach more than 4.3 million. The government sector posted the largest month-over-month gain, adding 21,000 jobs.

About 257,000 people were unemployed in August in Los Angeles County, which has a workforce of about 5.1 million.

-- City News Service, photo via Shutterstock